International Museum of Surgical Science

Opened to the public in 1954, this museum located in a historic mansion on Lake Shore Drive could benefit from the ongoing debate over health care, muses Lindsey Thieman, manager of exhibits and programs. The museum itself is "a study in the power of human ingenuity to fight disease, suffering and pain, and to enhance life," she said. "Surgicogenomics: Genes and Stem Cells" is a representative recent exhibit. In addition to contemporary medically-inspired artwork, the museum also houses such artifacts as a precursor to the heart-lung machine designed by Charles Lindbergh, and an iron lung from the 1950s. The gift store offers such unusual mementos as a hypodermic needle-shaped pen, and plush toys in the shape of various bacteria and viruses. "They're very popular," Thieman said. "They're everything you can ever hope not to get." Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive, $7-$15, 312-642-6502 and imss.org

Opened to the public in 1954, this museum located in a historic mansion on Lake Shore Drive could benefit from the ongoing debate over health care, muses Lindsey Thieman, manager of exhibits and programs. The museum itself is "a study in the power of human ingenuity to fight disease, suffering and pain, and to enhance life," she said. "Surgicogenomics: Genes and Stem Cells" is a representative recent exhibit. In addition to contemporary medically-inspired artwork, the museum also houses such artifacts as a precursor to the heart-lung machine designed by Charles Lindbergh, and an iron lung from the 1950s. The gift store offers such unusual mementos as a hypodermic needle-shaped pen, and plush toys in the shape of various bacteria and viruses. "They're very popular," Thieman said. "They're everything you can ever hope not to get." Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive, $7-$15, 312-642-6502 and imss.org